February 23, 2010, Mark 10

Key Verse

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.

(Mark 10:25)

Central Truth

We can't depend on money or anything else to get us to Heaven; only Jesus Christ can do that.

WHAT DO YOU LEAN ON ?

When you first read this you might think that God does not like rich people or that He does not want people to be rich. That's not the case at all. God understood, even back in biblical times, that money would be the number one competitor for man's heart. The concept here is based on anything that man might use or lean on as opposed to fully trusting in God to get to Heaven. He chose money because He knew it would be the object of people's affection. The camel was the largest animal in that part of the world. Getting a camel through the eye of a needle represented something that, humanly speaking, was impossible to do.

So often we get caught up in worldly possessions. We compare what we have with others. We label people as "successful" based on money and material things. I know in my life, personally, I have to stop comparing myself to other people in my line of work and asking: "How many deals did they close this year?" "How much money did they make ?" "How much this . . . and how much that . . . ?" The Bible talks about not putting other gods before God. God knew that money would be top on the list of competitors of His love. People depend on money to give them what they want, instead of relying on God. I know I can be guilty of that.

When we do this, however, we tend to complication salvation. Salvation is all about Jesus and having a relationship with Him, knowing and believing that He is the only way to Heaven. We cannot rely on other things or ourselves to get us there. It won't happen. God says it will be harder for a rich man to get to Heaven because He knew so often the rich man would depend on his wealth and not God. Don't let money or the desire for money take the place of God in your life.